Abstract

This study examined the sudden rise in the marketing, communication and consumption of herbal products
and the challenge of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Specifically, it focused on the transformed traditional
herbal blends named Sobotone and Ponkiriyon. Whilst locating the rationale for, as well as the
consequences of rising intake of the raw herbal products, the study brought to fore the gains and pains
experienced by their consumers. With a brief examination of the application of marketing communication
tools that accentuated their local awareness and patronage, the study showed how herbal products fared
within the reality of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Two Scopus-indexed journals provided arguments for this
study concerning the capacity of the country’s healthcare system to address the possible outcomes of
increased consumption of Sobotone and Ponkiriyon. Hinged on Uses and Gratification theory, the study
adopted a qualitative method of analysis using ten Focus Group Discussions, ten Indepth interviews and
content analyzed the two indexed reports on Nigeria’s healthcare system. Results from Focus Group
Discussions conducted amongst regular consumers of Sobotone and Ponkiriyon revealed, among other
things, the participants’ addiction to the herbal concoctions. Also, the Indepth Interviews with sellers of
unregulated herbal concoctions indicated marketing communication assisted profiting, attenuated by the
hazard of trekking to sell. The deteriorating condition of the country’s healthcare system was affirmed by the
selected learned publications. The work concluded that urgent action needs to be taken by relevant agencies
to avoid herb-addiction disaster which the current healthcare system in Nigeria is not equipped enough to
counter. Further researches into the growing herbal industry were also recommended.